# Should Google Be Worried About the Rise of ChatGPT?
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Chapter 1: Introduction
In my opinion, Google has valid reasons to feel apprehensive about ChatGPT. This concern isn’t based solely on my firsthand experiences but rather on how other companies have been disrupted by innovations in their fields.
Experiencing ChatGPT
My initial interaction with ChatGPT was aimed at enhancing my article titled 'What I Didn't Know about Epilepsy.' Below is a summary of that conversation:
The response I received was satisfactory, prompting me to give it a thumbs up. When asked for suggestions for improvement, I noted that seizures could indicate various medical conditions, such as diabetes or substance abuse, and that epilepsy is typically diagnosed only after multiple seizures. I proposed refining the last sentence to clarify this point: "Some individuals with epilepsy may only experience a handful of seizures throughout their lives, while others could have recurrent episodes regularly."
I followed up with another inquiry regarding epilepsy and received another commendable answer, which I also rated positively without further edits. My next question involved the identification of prime numbers, which ChatGPT initially handled well. However, it mistakenly identified the factors of 431, insisting it wasn't a prime number, despite the correct factors being 3, 11, and 13, which multiply to 429.
Should Google Be Worried?
My experiments reveal that ChatGPT, while impressive, isn't flawless. Large, established companies like Google might easily overlook ChatGPT as a non-threat. However, should Google really be dismissing it?
History shows that successful companies often experience a rise followed by either stagnation or decline. A prolonged plateau can create a false sense of security, making firms less vigilant against emerging threats.
Consider online banking: startups like Monzo and Starling have successfully challenged traditional banks, which were hindered by outdated technology and a lack of awareness. Similarly, Blackberry's initial indifference to the iPhone's release in 2007 ultimately led to its decline, despite its continued sales growth at the time.
Chatbots as Collaborative Tools?
Recently, there has been considerable discussion about recognizing chatbots like ChatGPT as co-authors in creative work. To me, chatbots are tools—similar to search engines or reference materials. I don’t credit them as authors, but rather verify their information and cite them when necessary.
Conclusion
I believe Google should indeed be wary of ChatGPT, not only for the reasons outlined above but also due to my later interactions with the platform. For instance, when I sought information about the introduction of the iPhone, I opted for ChatGPT rather than Google. The process was seamless:
- I was not confronted with a list of links.
- I didn't have to sift through various sources to find the answer.
- There were no intrusive cookie consent pop-ups or ads to navigate.
I also used ChatGPT to refresh my memory on creating nested bullet points in Markdown, receiving prompt and clear guidance. If I, along with many others, increasingly turn to ChatGPT instead of Google, it may signal a significant shift that Google should take seriously.
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